5 minute read
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
AILEY II
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$22-$62
Visit VanWezel.org.
Founded by Alvin Ailey, this dance company pairs the country’s finest young dance talent with the most visionary emerging choreographers for a program that is fresh, modern and designed to delight.
ROBERT KELLY
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
You’ve seen him on the TV shows “Louie,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Inside Amy Schumer” and more, you’ve heard his podcast “You Know What Dude?” and you’ve seen his one-hour special on Netflix. Now see him perform in person. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 25.
IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE
FEATURING CHARLOTTE JOHNSON
7 p.m. at SCD Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
$10-$20 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.
Charlotte Johnson, a native of St. Pete, graduated from Juilliard before working as a freelance dancer for Ballet Noir and Trainor Dance in New York City. Since returning to Florida in 2011 to teach at the John Hopkins Middle School Center for the Arts, she has been performing, including with Sarasota Contemporary Dance. In 2020, she formed her own nonprofit arts organization to use art and dance as a healing force in people’s lives.
FRIDAY
THE MOVIE MAESTRO: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS
3:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice
$33-$61
Visit VenicePerformingArtsCenter. com.
“E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial.” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” “Star Wars.” Yep, John Williams composed memorable music for all these films and more. Join the Venice Symphony as it plays his most beloved work, as well as some world premieres in this concert that tributes his talent. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 25
PROGRAM 5 — DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM 7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets start at $35 Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
The Sarasota Ballet hosts the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, in what will no doubt be a special treat. Founded in 1969, the multiethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire of both traditional classics and new works. Runs through Monday, Feb. 27.
Saturday
SARASOTA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive Free Visit ParagonFestivals.com.
Peruse work from more than 70 artisans and crafters from throughout Florida and the United States. Take in everything from original paintings and woodworking to wearable art and jewelry, and engage with the artists themselves about their work or even commission your own custom piece.
Runs through Sunday, Feb. 26.
CURATOR TOUR: ‘A BEAUTIFUL
MESS’
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Join Emilee Enders, curator of exhibitions and programs for the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, for a guided tour of “A Beautiful Mess,” an exhibit that features the work of 11 female artists. Enders will bring the display of fiber art to life with the stories of the artists and the traditions and norms that influence them.
SARASOTA CHORUS OF THE KEYS
ANNUAL SHOW
2:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way $30-$40 Visit ChorusOfTheKeys.org.
The Sarasota Chorus of the Keys performs its 73rd annual show, “Just Singin’ A Song” with special guests, international quartet champions Nightlife. This show is packed with favorites featuring everything from four-part a cappella harmony in barbershop style to the full chorus.
JOY OF JAZZ
2 p.m. at Centennial Park Gazebo, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice Free Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Vocalist Janet Planet and Friends with John Harmon will bring an afternoon of music to attendees at the Centennial Park Gazebo. A fun event for the whole family, be sure to bring chairs or blankets to relax and enjoy the sounds. The event benefits the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s scholarship fund.
MASTERWORKS: COPLAND AND STRAVINSKY
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $37-$99 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Rising conductor Kensho Watanabe will lead the Sarasota Orchestra in a program that pairs two 20th century masterpieces: Stravinsky’s 1931 Violin Concerto and Copland’s Symphony No. 3, which includes “Fanfare to the Common Man.” Runs through Sunday, Feb. 26.
‘DON GIOVANNI’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets start at $23 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Travel to Spain with the Sarasota Opera to dive into Mozart’s opera, “Don Giovanni.” Follow the tragic tale of the infamous womanizer Don Juan, who, in his final saga, does not get a happy ending. Runs through March 25.
SUNDAY
GARDEN MUSIC SERIES: RAE
RADICK
1 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Free with general admission Visit Selby.org.
What better way to enjoy Selby Gardens than with a relaxing afternoon of music? Rae Radick, who describes herself as the “love child of Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert and a dash of New York City,” will perform in the gardens’ outdoor venue.
CIRCUS SARASOTA
1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Ulla Searing
Big Top on Nathan Benderson Park’s Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle $20-$75 Visit CircusArts.org.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, don’t miss your chance to take part in an area tradition celebrating its 25th season: Enjoying an afternoon of entertainment under the big top at Circus Sarasota. Be dazzled by a variety of performers all in the best venue for circus around.
MONDAY
STEFAN JACKIW, VIOLINIST
10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$10
Visit SillSarasota.org.
As part of the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s Music Mondays series, violinist Stefan Jackiw will perform and discuss his career and craft.
TUESDAY
‘QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME’
7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$30-$50
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
The Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota welcome the Lincoln Trio: violinist Desiree Ruhstrat, cellist
DON’T MISS CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
In his final season as music director, Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in this visit to Sarasota. Hailed as one of the best in the world, the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8” and “Coriolan Overture,” as well as Liadov’s “The Enchanted Lake” and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition.”
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. March 1
Where: at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: $65-$155 Info: Visit SCASarasota.org.
OUR PICK:
SEVENTH ANNUAL OSFEST REGGAE
BLOCK PARTY
Join Sarasota band Jah Movement for its seventh annual Reggae Music Block Party, which celebrates the late great musician Oswald Caines of the Democracy Reggae Band. Enjoy food, drinks, live music, kids activities and more at this festival outside of the Gator Club at Lemon Avenue and Main Street.
IF YOU GO
When: 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25
Where: The Gator Club, 1490 Main St.
Tickets: $40, kids 12 and under free Info: Visit JahMovement.com.
Theatre’s rendition of this classic musical that helped launch Stephen Sondheim’s career. Runs through March 19.
WEDNESDAY
‘GYPSY:
One
“Gypsy” delves into one woman’s efforts to get her daughters into show business. Enjoy the Venice
‘THE LAST MATCH’ 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $25-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
This regional premiere by Florida Studio Theatre focuses on the U.S. Open semifinals match between Sergei Sergeyev, a rising Russian phenom, and Tim Porter, a celebrated American player reaching the end of his career. Explore the thoughts and feelings behind the match and the sacrifices they’ve made along the way. Runs through March 17.
